If a year ago someone told Dejan that he will conquer Europe with Vardar, we are sure he would not believe them. He came to Skopje as a rookie from Partizan, without even being sure that he will the number 1 choice for the team in Skopje. Perhaps the best goalkeeper of all time, Arpad Sterbik, just left the club, and Milosavljev had big shoes to fill. Possibly even the biggest in handball. But, as Igor Karacic said, he came to Vardar through “small doors”, yet he is leaving as a champion. As the best goalkeeper of the 2018/19 season and a man capable of pretty much everything. 

Milosavljev only spent one season with Vardar, but what a season it was. It feels like he was here for much longer, since he became a fan favourite, blended in perfectly with the squad full of incredible people with huge hearts. After only a few months in Skopje, Dejan said he could play here forever. But, handball roads are interesting, and after one season with Vardar he will continue his journey in Berlin, signing a four-year contract with Füchse.He will not be that first player to make the same switch, as his teammate from the Serbian national team, Mijajlo Marsenic, is also there.

One season did feel like at least a few more, especially because Milosavljev won so many individual awards. Some goalkeepers don’t win as many their whole careers, but the 23-year old Dejan truly had a historic season. The best goalkeeper of the regular season in SEHA – Gazprom League, the best goalkeeper of the SEHA Final 4, EHFCL All-Star team 2018/19, best goalkeeper of the Final 4 in Cologne…

We will remember all the incredible saves, all the emotions showed. The tears after Pick Szeged, the shock after Barca Lassa, and the joy after Veszprem. It was clear that Milosavljev was destined to play for Vardar, his heart beats the “Red and Black” way! We will remember 153 saves in the eighth SEHA season. 22 at the Final 4 in Brest. 15 against Barca Lassa in the semi-final of the EHF Champions League. And of course, maybe the most memorable one, in the 57th minute of the final, stopping Veszprem and Blaz Blagotinsek in their last comeback attempt. All the hard work, tears and sweat paid off in that moment when Vardar became the champions of Europe for the second time!

Of course, we cannot forget about Milosavljev’s relationship with Dejan Peric which was truly special. He is the latest 5+ student and the duo worked perfectly the entire season. Not many expected such a season from Milosavljev, but Peric believed in him throughout the entire journey. A journey in which Deki went from being a young goalkeeper from the Serbian League, to being voted the best goalkeeper in Europe. It was an astonishing, remarkable, dream season for him, and we are sure the fans enjoyed watching Milosavljev in action. He played for “the people with the biggest hearts”, as Dejan called them, and there is no doubt he will be missed. But, his hard work, talent and dedication will never be forgotten, and Dejan Milosavljev will always be a part of the SEHA family!